{"id":45037,"date":"2025-11-12T04:27:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T12:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com\/blog\/?p=45037"},"modified":"2026-07-04T09:43:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T16:43:52","slug":"letter-to-the-editor-warning-neurotheology-being-presented-through-contemplatives-spiritual-formation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com\/blog\/letter-to-the-editor-warning-neurotheology-being-presented-through-contemplatives-spiritual-formation\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter to the Editor: Warning\u2014”Neurotheology” Being Presented Through Contemplatives & Spiritual Formation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LTRP Note:<\/strong> The following letter to the editor is an important compilation of research by one of our readers, who clearly understands the dynamics behind Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Formation. Those who think these are just benign terms and have no idea what they really entail may not grasp the significance of the research below. For anyone reading this who would like to better understand contemplative spirituality, we will gladly send you a free copy of A Time of Departing<\/em> by Ray Yungen.<\/a> Please e-mail us at editors@lighthousetrails.com with your name and mailing address. Also check out the two definitions at the bottom of this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Lighthouse Trails:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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I believe that “neurotheology” is being promoted by contemplatives as a way to introduce “spiritual disciplines” under the guise of “science.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a paper by “DeeperWalk” that defends their beliefs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/deeperwalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/White-Paper-on-Neurotheology-Marcus-Warner.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quote from above: ” Spirit. We are born of the Spirit to walk in the Spirit, which requires both Scriptural understanding and Spiritual disciplines.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a short definition of neurotheology: https:\/\/deeperwalk.com\/neurotheology\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the main influencers in the “neurotheology” field: https:\/\/deeperwalk.com\/speakers\/dr-jim-wilder\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a course that goes with Jim WIlder’s book, Renovated<\/em>: God, Dallas Willard, and the Church That Transforms:<\/em>  https:\/\/deeperwalk.com\/streaming\/renovated-church-that-transforms-dallas-willard\/<\/a> It promotes an “attachment approach” to spiritual growth,” “key insights from brain science to help you in your journey of transformation,” and “12 practices for cultivating healthy attachment with God and others.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/deeperwalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Life-Model-Neurotheology-Slow-Soul-with-Radiator.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quote from the above paper, near the conclusion: “Teaching a brain the way the brain learns presents no danger to Christians if the soul is fast enough to keep up. A fast soul and brain combination can learn our identities through loving attachments with God and others. People will see and hear the Spirit of Christ through their hearts. Their spirit participates in teaching the brain the way the brain learns.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And another: “Neurotheology is only a part (subset) of the Life Model. The Life Model is only part (subset) of theology and Christian practice. The Life Model is a needed addition to any Christianity that is overly focused on beliefs. It provides correction for the common problems many Christians have living out their faith. The Life Model supplement for Christian living intentionally leaves eternal matters up to each Christian faith tradition it serves. We do not teach about how the soul gets saved because that is not the purpose of the Life Model and its neurotheology. Preparing the soul for eternity is what churches do. The Life Model teaches people to begin their post-resurrection life now while they are still in human bodies by teaching the brain in the way the brain learns.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, it quotes from The Message<\/em>, “Until we\u2019re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God\u2019s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13 The Message<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve attached a screenshot<\/a> from that big paper as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These people are PROPONENTS of Jim Wilder’s book Renovated<\/em>, and state here, “The book proposes that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n